Cornwall #2 – Sunday Best… With a little Rick Rant

Time moves slowly in Padstow; I love it. Everything happens in s-l-o-w motion. You have the time to compute and digest; time to enjoy the little things. I’ve never been a fan of walking – anyone who knows me will tell you I’d rather hear about it in the pub! This morning we went for a stroll along the cliffs and back long the beach. It was spectacular, even with the wind blowing sand and salt into our faces and stinging our eyes. It was fresh and bracing… And do you know what made it better? I felt like I deserved my lunchtime pints of Trelawny ale! There’s nothing quite like sitting in the pub at lunchtime on a Sunday.

Oh, and a pasty overlooking the harbour is a pretty good feeling too! One of my favourite views in Padstow is these three pasty shops in a row… Magic.

But we’re here to talk about wine so lets get to the action; lets get back to Bin Two. Here’s a link to their site – it’s a must-do for any visit to Padstow (Bin Two website).

I was dead-set on a bottle of white wine from the New World and was ready to plunge for a NZ Chardonnay… But The Fish was in French mode so we agreed on a compromise… And what a belter it was!

Domaine Larue Saint-Aubin 1er Cru Les Cortons 2008 (Bin Two £24.00)
Apple and savoury buttered crumble with custard spiked with nutmeg and vanilla. Delicious aromas. Buttery, toasty savouriness combines with a beautiful acid steak of apples as well as some tropical fruits. The oak is beautifully judged and integrated through the finish, which is delightful and lingering. This is a massively underrated Burgundy appellation. 92 points

Our dinner appointment was at St Petroc’s, another Stein establishment. This is a bistro with a really bustly feel and a more meaty menu. Starters of prawns in ouzo, tomato and feta for The Fish, and crab and gruyere tart for me, were excellent. The wines by the glass were also delicious:

Rick Stein Champagne Blanc de Blancs NV (£8.50/glass)
Biscuity and yeasty with a delightfully creamy texture. A bit of peach and touch of gooseberry but this was all about the patisserie character and was a real knockout. 90 points

Rick Stein’s Spanish White 2011 (£5.75/glass)
Peaches and nectarines, with a bit of pink grapefruit bitterness and honeyed sweetness. Really bright and fresh. Made with Verdejo grapes from Galicia, this is a great alternative to Sauvignon Blanc. Simple but delicious. 87 points

For main course we shared the Chateaubriand and it really hit the mark, accompanied with an excellent Bordelaise sauce and superb pommes coq D’Or. The wine we chose was a great a compliment too:

Chateau Bauduc 2009 Bordeaux Supérieur (£27.00)
Lashings of strawberry from the predominant Merlot and a lick of cassis from the Cabernet Sauvignon. All of this was supported by a wonderful kick of pepper and some nicely tuned tannins. A really enjoyable claret. 88 points

The rant

I love Rick Stein. I love his TV shows and I love his books. One of the things I really enjoy is when Rick goes on one of his rants… So Rick, here’s one for you…

The wine list at St Petroc’s is short and well judged. Almost everything is under £30 a bottle and there are delicious choices from France, Spain, Argentina and Australia. But £27 for a bottle for a Guigal Cotes du Rhone I can buy for £7.99 in Majestic? I love this wine, but not at £27! And if I’m going to buy a half bottle (which doesn’t happen that often in all honesty!), I expect to pay half the price… Not £20.90 when a whole bottle costs £27.10! I ask myself why???